Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender and Womens Studies

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The National Coalition for Domestic Violence created and
observed the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1987. Since then,
communities around the country have been increasing public consciousness about
Domestic Violence and honoring the lives of victims and survivors. This month,
we are highlighting several local organizations working to prevent violence and
protect victims.

Alternatives for Battered Women

Alternatives for Battered Women exists to enhance
the quality of life and empower individuals affected by or at risk of domestic
violence. ABW is the only licensed provider in Monroe County of shelter and
services for women and children who are affected by domestic violence. Among
the many offerings at ABW are

A 24-hour hotline, providing access to the shelter,
information, referrals and counseling.

A 38-bed emergency shelter for victims and children
(both boys and girls, up to age 18). Residents receive safe housing,
counseling and education, information, access to multiple support groups,
assistance and planning for the family’s future housing needs, and legal
information.

Walk-in counseling. Short-term counseling is available in an
emergency.

Family programs are available for children and
their parent residing in the shelter, including counseling (both
group and individual), information, referrals, social and recreational
activities.

Transitional Support Services includes our non-residential programs, and
include small group counseling sessions, topic-focused groups, open
community support groups, and individual counseling.

Court Advocacy is a collaborative program between ABW
and Legal Aid Society of Rochester which provides assistance at the Hall
of Justice to victims of domestic violence as they navigate the legal
system to pursue an Order of Protection.

Our Education and Prevention program reaches out to students
in middle and high schools and college, to help them learn how to form
healthy relationships, and identifying abusive behaviors. This program
also provides short-term education in area high schools for students deemed
to be high-risk.

A Speaker’s Bureau that offers individualized presentations
to community groups, professionals and others, about domestic violence and
agency services.

Alternatives for
Battered Women is a founding member of the New York State Coalition Against
Domestic Violence; the Rochester/Monroe County Domestic Violence Consortium; a
member of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and a member of the
LGBTQ Domestic Violence Service Providers Network.

Safe Journey

Safe Journey has served over 2,000 women since its inception
in 1998. This non-profit, non-residential facility helps women who have
experienced domestic violence and abuse to rebuild their lives. Located in
Fairport, New York, Safe Journey offers a number of services to survivors of
domestic violence including safety planning, individual counseling, community
resource coordination, resettlement support and life skills training. The center
also provides teen violence prevention and education services. The mission of
Safe Journey is not only to help women survive, but to thrive and move forward in
creating a life that is stable and peaceful. Safe Journey staff members travel
to various community organizations and youth groups, educating individuals on
domestic violence prevention. The organization also provides resources for
those trying to help a victim.

Rape Crisis Service

Rape Crisis
Service of Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region believes every
person should be free from sexual assault and/or sexual harassment. To this
end, the program assures personal support and advocacy for survivors and
significant others of sexual assault and violence. Rape
Crisis Service provides crisis intervention and support services to women,
children and men who are survivors of sexual assault and to their families.
Trained counselors are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to
provide information and support, enabling the client to make informed choices
concerning medical, legal and counseling needs, while offering advocacy and
information about their rights. Counselors also offer short-term
counseling sessions and legal and medical accompaniment. Services are free and
confidential. Their regional Rape Crisis program currently serves five
counties: Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming. Among the many
offerings the service provides are: support through medical exams and
treatment, court accompaniment, advocacy
and support during interaction with law enforcement, individual consultations
with professionals, community education programs and professional training
programs. Staff members and trained
volunteer counselors support victims in the areas of medical needs,
psychological support, police intervention and legal prosecution. Information
provided through prevention education and professional training programs
increases awareness and improves societal response to sexual violence in the
community and creates a society less vulnerable to sexual violence.

Stand Up Guys

Stand Up Guys is a local non-profit, founded in 2005, which
seeks to educate men about the issue of gender-based violence. They work to
educate men about violence against women and children while promoting community
safety, justice, and equality. They hold events at schools and organizations
throughout the community in order to spread their mission and share prevention
techniques and information. Stand Up Guys recognizes that the majority of
perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual abuse are men, and that only women
tend to work towards ending domestic violence. Stand Up Guys believes in men
standing up and speaking out about domestic violence as, not a women’s issue,
but a community issue. They aim to engage well intended, non-abusing men in the
dialogue which will help to end the vicious cycle of domestic violence and
sexual abuse.

Family Service Rochester

Family Service Rochester was founded in 1965 as a nonprofit organization
with a staff of three and the mission to support and enhance the dignity and
quality of life for individuals and families in our community. For the past 15
years, Family Service Rochester has sharpened its focus to working with
families with serious child welfare and/or family violence concerns. Major
service expansions have been in the areas of child maltreatment, child welfare,
children’s mental health, domestic violence and providing our services to
ethnically diverse populations in our community. Family Service Rochester
provides domestic violence support groups for men, women and children. Today
the agency provides more than 30 programs to meet ever-changing community
needs. Our staff of over 85 provides a wide range of human services that
educate, strengthen, support, protect and empower individuals and families in
our community.